Apparatus for use with needle insertion guidance system

Abstract

A guidance system utilizes ultrasound imaging or other suitable imaging technology. In one embodiment, the guidance system includes an imaging device including a probe for producing an image of an internal body portion target, such as a vessel. One or more sensors may be associated with the probe. The system may include a medical device, such as a needle, separate from the probe, the medical device having a magnetic field associated therewith. The system may include a processor that uses data relating to the magnetic field sensed by the one or more sensors to determine a position and/or orientation of the medical device. The system may also include a display that shows an image of the internal body portion target taken by the ultrasound imaging probe and a depiction of the medical device positioned and/or oriented with respect to the image.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A guidance system, comprising:
 an ultrasound imaging probe for ultrasonically imaging an image area including an internal body portion target; 
 a needle separate from the ultrasound imaging probe configured for insertion into the internal body portion target, the needle having a magnetic field associated therewith; 
 a stylet removably disposed in the needle, the stylet having a magnetic component including a plurality of passive ferromagnets placed adjacent one another; 
 one or more sensors associated with the ultrasound imaging probe configured to sense the magnetic field; 
 a processor configured to use data relating to the magnetic field sensed by the one or more sensors to determine a position and/or orientation of a medical device with respect to the one or more sensors; and 
 a display configured to show an image of the internal body portion target taken by the ultrasound imaging probe and a depiction representative of the medical device positioned and oriented with respect to the image based on the position and the orientation determined by the processor, such that an approach to the internal body portion target is depicted when the medical device is outside of the image area. 
 
     
     
       2. The guidance system according to  claim 1 , wherein the internal body portion target is a blood vessel. 
     
     
       3. The guidance system according to  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic field of the needle is provided by at least one magnetic element coupled to the needle. 
     
     
       4. The guidance system according to  claim 3 , wherein the at least one magnetic element is at least one permanent magnet disposed in a needle hub. 
     
     
       5. The guidance system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the needle and the stylet is magnetized prior to use. 
     
     
       6. The guidance system according to  claim 5 , wherein the needle is magnetized prior to use. 
     
     
       7. The guidance system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one sensor comprises a plurality of magnetic sensors embedded within a housing of the ultrasound imaging probe. 
     
     
       8. The guidance system according to  claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of magnetic sensors is configured for detection of a magnetic field in three spatial dimensions. 
     
     
       9. The guidance system according to  claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of magnetic sensors includes orthogonal sensor coils. 
     
     
       10. The guidance system according to  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of magnetic sensors are configured to continuously detect the magnetic field, and wherein the guidance system is configured to continuously update the image, such that the position and/or orientation of the medical device with respect to the image of the internal body portion target is continuously updated as simultaneous movements of the ultrasound imaging probe and the medical device occur. 
     
     
       11. A guidance system, comprising:
 an ultrasound imaging probe; 
 a plurality of magnetic sensors included in the ultrasound imaging probe; 
 a needle having a magnetic field associated therewith; 
 a stylet removably disposed in the needle, the stylet having a magnetic component including a plurality of passive ferromagnets placed adjacent one another; 
 a processor configured to use data relating to the magnetic field to determine a position and orientation of the needle with respect to the plurality of magnetic sensors; and 
 a display designed to show an image taken by the ultrasound imaging probe and a depiction representative of the needle positioned and oriented relative to the image based on the position and orientation determined by the processor such that an approach of the needle to a target shown in the image is depicted when the needle is outside the image. 
 
     
     
       12. The guidance system according to  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the needle and the stylet is magnetized prior to use. 
     
     
       13. The guidance system according to  claim 11 , wherein the magnetic field is provided by a magnetic element coupled to a hub of the needle. 
     
     
       14. The guidance system according to  claim 13 , wherein the magnetic element is a plurality of permanent magnets. 
     
     
       15. The guidance system according to  claim 11 , wherein the needle and the stylet are magnetized prior to use. 
     
     
       16. The guidance system according to  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of magnetic sensors are embedded within a housing of the ultrasound imaging probe. 
     
     
       17. The guidance system according to  claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of magnetic sensors is configured for detection of a magnetic field in three spatial dimensions. 
     
     
       18. The guidance system according to  claim 17 , wherein each of the plurality of magnetic sensors includes orthogonal sensor coils. 
     
     
       19. The guidance system according to  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of magnetic sensors are configured to continuously detect the magnetic field, and wherein the guidance system is configured to continuously update the image, such that the position and orientation of the medical device relative to the image is continuously updated as simultaneous movements of the ultrasound imaging probe and the needle occur.